Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-04

a disadvantage beside this handsome
stranger. He seemed to feel this and
could not be induced to play again.
There was plenty more music, how
ever. Miss Ballou sang, hen Mr..
Guernsy, who had a really fine baritone
voice, sang. then they sang together. l
saw how unhappy the change of this
evening was making poor Ernest.
Some" said I to him. 1let us go up
stair. We won't be missed" As we
reached the door, Ernest cast a weary,
longing look toward Miss Ballou, who,
unmindful of him, vas sitting on the
stool before the piano, chatting and
laughing with her new acquaintance.
/ don't think Ernest slept at all that
night. He was nervous, and several
times during the night / heard him
murmur and sigh. l heartily pitied
him. But what could I do to console
him?
He got up very early the next morn
ing, and although haggered and pale,
went right to his practice.
"Why do you get up so early? You
look tired" | said to him.
Il can't sleep" he answered YEARLY,
$50 thought would get up and play.
/ must get these pieces for the concert
which is only a week from tomorrow
night,
1t was just one week from this morn
ing, while we were sitting at the break
fast table, that Rhona, one of Mrs.
Barnes daughters, looking significantly
at Ernest, said to me: Mr.. Harris,
have you heard the news!' had no
idea as to what was coming. else ! should
not have added. "What is IL"
"Annie Btllou had engaged herself to
Mr.. Guernsy." | looked at Ernest. He
had dropped his fork as if a sharp pain
had suddenly seized him.
Next morning while we were yet in
bed Ernest startled me by saying Char
ley"-that is my name-"I am going TO
enlist" What l am here relating took
place at the time of the War of the Re
beilion."l
You" I exclaimed, ''why, you would
not stand il a week"
''Oh, yes, | SHALL" he replied, "and
what if | do die, l shall die for my coun-
try"
Ernest" said /, take my advice;
don't go. You are not strong. You
will not be able to bear the hardships
and exposures of a soldiers life. Be
sides, you are the only son of your
parents. Think Of them"
Il do think of them. The thought Of
them is all that worries me. But you
talk as If it were already settled that
must die. ] may 20 through the war,
and come back, as thousands Of others
will"
All remonstrance on my part was
useless. lie would 60. He asked me
not to tell the folks in the house about
his going to enlist until after he was
gone.
Il cannot bear to have them urge me
to give it up" said he. Il shall have
enough to do to overcome my parents
He went, and when ! next heard from
him it was in the form OF a letter
which he had written from camp. |
received a few lines from him about
two weeks after this by which he in
formed me that they would break up
and march" on the morrow.
From that time / had no knowledge
Of him until n morning about three
months subsequent to his departure
from o., when Mrs. Barnes called me
down. telling me a young man wished
TO see me. found in the latter a mes
senger from Ernest. who, through the
efforts Of his mother and kind neigh
bors. had been brought home sick, dying
perhaps, and wished to see me. / ac-
companied the stranger without delay,
and several hours of smart driving
brought US to the home of my poor
friend.
His mother met me at the door, her
eyes red from weeping and | saw at a
glance the worst was feared.
Though pale and ~emaciated. his large
eyes glowing with feverish brightness, a
smile illuminated his countenance as
Ernest feebly put forth his hand to
greet me.
well, | did not stand it long, did I.
Charley!' he said pleasantly.
Emotion choked my utterance. "No,
may poor friend" ! managed 10 say.
We chatted some time. He asked
some favors of me, which l promised
should he granted. After which ! left
him.
i returned o. a Saturday, but found
poor Ernest no more alive.
They took me to the chamber where
all that remained of him lay. A peace
full smile rested upon the still features,
so pleasant TO look at even in death. Il
hear celestial harmonies" had been his
last words. With the help Of the under
taker, ! fulfilled his last request.
i met Mrs. Guernsy, nee Ballou. a few
months ago. She is a middle-aged
woman now, and the mother of grown
sons and daughters. Though somewba,
stout, she is still pretty, and retains the
yivacity and sprightliness d her youth.
She seemed delighted TO meet Inc, and
spoke OF old times. But never once did
she refer to him, our common friend,
who wa laid TO rest, with his hand,
peacefully folded over her image lyinp
on the tlirobless bosom. olga L. Sturn
in Cleveland Leader.
Formation Of Cloud.
Investigations by DIR. r. Won Helm.